10 Times Wrestling Made You Lose Your Goddamn Mind
8. The Revolution At Revolution
The kick-out at one spot is guaranteed popper - so much so that it's a wonder it hasn't eaten itself yet.
As with everything in wrestling, it must make sense in its own context. It's the most badass spot in the industry, and it only works when everything comes together to make it so. A kick-out of a body slam at one doesn't scan as the ultimate display of spirit. A big move must be sacrificed, but it can't be wasted, either. In short, the storytelling has to be perfect.
It was at Revolution 2020, in what remains the zenith of the promotion's in-ring output.
Deep in the exhilarating drama of a blow-away classic between Kenny Omega and Hangman Page and the Young Bucks, the complexion of the match had mutated. It was no longer a competitive match when worked between Omega and Nick Jackson and a pissy fight when Matt and Page were in the ring. The veneer had evaporated; the Bucks, and this choice put over their challengers and intensified the story organically, reverted to their old heel role. They isolated Omega, and ripped the piss out of his old Golden Lovers finish. This wouldn't stand; he kicked out at one, and the crowd, already molten, rewarded him with a standing ovation meltdown. In an exceptional touch, Omega was so fired up and lost in the fury that he pounded the mat with his injured shoulder.
In another exceptional touch, looking ahead to the big singles programme with Page, Omega showed more loyalty towards Kota Ibushi than his partner at the time.